The Gathering

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If there is one thing that I love about Anglicanism its the liturgy, or better yet the flow of the liturgy. I could do without the robes, regalia, and pomp. I am not a slave to particular prayers or rituals.
But I do love the simplicity of the liturgy, the flow of it. In essence it involves four simple parts: the gathering, the proclamation, the table, the dismissal. Anything else we add to this is up for grabs but these four parts, or movements, are where its at for me.
Over the next little while I will be sharing some thoughts, poetic in form, on the shape of the liturgy. I like poetry because it is so free and freeing, without the constraints of so much other writing. These reflections are the result of a mini-sabbatical taken over the Spring and Summer months. I hope you enjoy.
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We gather on stolen land
As church that has hurt, bruised, betrayed

We gather as broken pieces
Seeking wholeness
Seeking community
Seeking love.

We gather in the name of a homeless rabbi
Jesus son of Mary
Friend of sinners
Accused of blasphemy, gluttony and drunkeness
An enemy of the state
Crossed out

We gather from a lineage of sinners and saints
Brutes, scoundrels, and heretics
Healers, lovers and prophets
Part of a bigger whole
Greater than the sum of its parts

We gather in God’s name
The name that is love
Spirit-filled

We gather to listen
To pray
To be fed
To be transformed

We gather to be dismissed, sent out
To recreate, renew, reconcile

We gather to catch a glimpse of your way, heaven’s way
Then we follow Mary’s sun,
Yeshua of lowly Nazareth
As he goes about your work in the world

Rev. Robert Cooke is the priest-in-charge of St. Mark's Anglican Church in St. John's, Newfoundland.

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3 Comments
  • Mary Catherine Johnston
    Posted at 09:54h, 25 October Reply

    This says it all…whatever our group name.. Christians and lovers all

  • Hilary Jenkins
    Posted at 13:24h, 25 October Reply

    Thank you…it’s prayer poetry, the flow and tempo move you into the liturgy. I look forward to more.

  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 02:19h, 26 October Reply

    Thank you Robert!

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